Description
A perfectly crafted Chicken Parmesan Sandwich is a thing of beauty. This recipe guides you through creating an unforgettable sandwich with an extra-crispy chicken cutlet, vibrant marinara, and perfectly melted cheese, all held together by a sturdy, toasted garlic butter roll. Forget soggy bread and bland chicken; these steps and tips will help you achieve a restaurant-quality classic that is pure comfort in every bite.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoon garlic salt
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 large eggs
1 splash of water
1 ¼ cups plain panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
4 chicken cutlets (pounded to an even thickness)
Oil for frying
For the Bread
4 hoagie rolls
½ cup unsalted butter, very soft
1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
For Assembly
24 ounces warm marinara sauce
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Prepare the Breading Station
Set up three shallow dishes. In the first, mix together the all-purpose flour, garlic salt, onion powder, and black pepper. In the second dish, whisk the eggs with a splash of water. In the third dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning.
Bread the Chicken
Pat each chicken cutlet dry. Dredge a cutlet in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess. Dip it into the egg wash, and then press it firmly into the panko mixture, ensuring it is fully coated on both sides. Set aside on a plate and repeat with the remaining cutlets.
Fry the Chicken
Heat about an inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place two chicken cutlets in the pan. Fry for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown, crispy, and cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a wire rack to drain. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
Prepare and Toast the Garlic Rolls
Preheat your oven’s broiler. In a small bowl, combine the very soft butter, 1 tablespoon of grated parmesan, garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Mix until smooth. Slice the hoagie rolls open and spread the garlic butter mixture evenly on the cut sides. Place on a baking sheet and broil for 1-2 minutes until the butter is melted and the edges are golden.
Assemble the Sandwich
Spread a generous layer of warm marinara sauce on both sides of the toasted garlic rolls. Place a cooked chicken cutlet on the bottom half of each roll. Top the chicken with another spoonful of marinara sauce and then cover generously with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
The Final Melt and Serving
Place the open-faced sandwiches back under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the mozzarella cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and slightly browned. Place the top of the roll on and serve immediately.
Notes
The Secret to Extra Crispy Chicken: For an exceptionally crunchy crust that holds up to the sauce, try a double-fry method. After the first fry, let the chicken rest on a wire rack for 5 minutes, then return it to the hot oil for 1 more minute per side.
Use Warm Sauce: Having your marinara sauce warm before assembly helps the cheese melt faster under the broiler and ensures the final sandwich is hot all the way through.
Healthier Option: For a lighter version, you can bake or air-fry the breaded chicken cutlets instead of pan-frying them. You can also use less garlic butter on the rolls or skip it.
Don’t Crowd the Pan: Frying the chicken in batches ensures that the oil temperature stays high, which is the key to a crispy, non-greasy crust.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Frying, Broiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Sandwich
- Calories: 1050
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 1800mg
- Fat: 59g
- Saturated Fat: 28g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25g
- Trans Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 78g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 55g
- Cholesterol: 185mg
Keywords: Chicken Parmesan Sandwich, garlic bread sandwich, chicken parm hoagie, crispy chicken sandwich, Italian sandwich, marinara sauce, melted mozzarella, comfort food